Another weekend away from home

This year has been pretty good, this is only my second weekend away from home. This has been a long week and not a good one to check my carbon footprint, I am a bit winded and sorely missing my bed. South african meals are also not helping me with belt holes either. Interesting conversation with a waiter the other day about weigth loss. He was commenting that the lounge in the hotel is very quiet and it explains why the waiters in the lounge don't get fat. A bit puzzled, I asked him what he meant. He explained that since the lounge is so quiet all the time, it causes the waiters to keep their mouths shut and as a result feel more depressed. This depression reduces the ability of the body to ingest food and direct consequence the waiters are thin. Have I accidentally discovered the new wonder slimming formula? Is becoming a waiter in quiet lounges the new weigth loss rage?? Does it explain my extra pounds, I am sure my sister would agree as she thinks I can't keep my mouth shut. I had to 'support' a discussion at senior management retreat last week. It turned out to be a waste of time but it took me to Stellenbosch. My first reaction was - move aside Toscana and Hello Stellenbosch. With postcard like views and very colonial looking farms, this has certainly made its mark on my list of must see places. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to explore as it was flyin-flyout trip. But I will be back. Ramadan Karim to those who plan to skip lunches for the next 30 days. It turns out there are opportunities for arbitrage for those who want to minimise the hunger pangs during the fasting days. Europe and certains part of the US have on an average 3-4 hour later sunsets than the middle east. So best to be closer to the equator if u are planning to fast. Cairo was lively during the night but dead during the day. Even the notorious and noxious traffic jams were taking a break. On another important note, I finally did it. I had an African Rock python coiled around me for all of 60 seconds, photographic proof included. It took a bit of nerve calming but it was not so bad except when it started slithering on my neck. That freaked me out a bit. Its not slimy but soft and smooth. Its not cold either. A side adventure included cuddling with some Lion cubs and petting a 3 year old Cheetah. Cheetah kept makings a throaty purring noise while I was stroking him and cuddling his ears. It even licks your hand if you are courageous enough to put it near its mouth. Benefits of spending a working weekend in South Africa. That was the only highlight as I managed to pick up a virus while I was there. Glad to be back home, its fish curry and rice for dinner. I am still croaking and coughing.

Lousy Summer

Feels like Munich went straight from a very good spring to autumn, sweat glands were on standby most of the summer. We were told we missed the scorcher days while we were vacationing. Like I care, why doesn't it happen while I am here. Believe it when I see it. This crappy weather is also a sore reminder for what is in store for the months to come. You never win with the German weather gods. The desert run (aka my trip to Dubai) last week was tiring. Was staying near the beach so I figured I would take an early morning dip (also an excuse to gorge at the buffet breakfast) not bad idea eh! Ever swam in a hot soup, never doing that again. Found a good chinese joint. I slept all of Saturday to shake off desert weariness. Household was not pleased. Went to the beergarden with some soon-to-be wedded friends yesterday. Much to my amusement I found that in order to fulfill the basic reason of coming to a Bavarian beergarten, you must first wash your mug. Thats right, 6.60 Euro buys an unwashed mug and once you have thoroughly rinsed it you get some beer (on the house). You must wash the same mug again when you go for seconds and this time it cost 6,60 Euro. Sounds like cost cutting? Sounds more like cost cutting plans hatched after a few bouts of beer. Always something new just when you think u have figured it all out after 3 years. I have 2 weeks of beef and pinotage to look forward to, back in Joburg. Thats my flight boarding, more from the bush later.

My big fat Belgian Wedding

We were greeted by mountains of luggage in Brussels airport, thanks to baggage union flexing their muscles, more pay for the baggage handlers was the main reason for all the vexation. We found our luggage without much stress. Met the friendliest Finn that I know, Jouko, for dinner at a Brasserie down the road from our hotel. He was clearly floored by our humble hotel, said he knows now how the other half lives. I told him we are also very grateful to the nice Mr. Hilton for all the points that I have accumulated and allowing me to use them. The Conrad Hilton was great, fit for a King, but not my style. I got my steak Tartar fix that I have been craving for more than a year. Of course we had mussels and frits for appetizers. All of this with the friendly Finn. Our wedding day started with a 9.15 am pickup from the hotel and drove to Marc's to-be inlaws place for champagne and photos. Many shutter clicks and gulps later, the bride and the groom mount the silver opentop 80's Mercedes roadster and head to the townhall for the wedding registration. The Mayor, who consummated the wedding, officiously welcomed us in and did a great job by keeping the whole wedding party giggling again. Jouko was the official clicker. The wedding was solemnized with rings on a volleyball ( they met at volleyball match), we cheered, the bride smeared lipstick on Marc and the rest stared at the happy couple. Flooded with emotion, we drank more champagne. A bit tipsy and happy, the wedding party gracefully exited the Municipal office and headed to the ‘surprise’ location for the photo shoot. It was in a very old and well run farm surrounded by radish and wheat fields. Some bride and groom throwing (no jokes) and many flickers later, we went down the road towards the fields and clicked some more group photos. I got some great pics of the horses. Looking at the very picturesque wheat fields, I felt like Van Gogh – Inspired (and not thinking of shooting my ear off). An hour and half after noon, we decided it was time for some Belgian lunch. More champagne and very tasty food later we headed to the venue of the evening festivities at about 4. There were 2 receptions, a short round with those who were not going to stay for dinner and the gala dinner. The whole affair was very stylish and the evening festivities were precipitated by a river of champagne that never stopped flowing. We drank some champagne otherwise our host may have felt offended. We were less successful in not offending the wait staff because we kept turning down the entrées, ate too much for lunch. There was a small ceremony for about 45 minutes before dinner. Friends and family told stories about the 2 while a guitarist and solo singer hummed in the background. Friends also sung. Though we did not get much of what was said, it was really personal. The ceremony was closed with atleast hundred balloons released into the air. Filled with all this nostalgia, we just had to drink some champagne. We sat at the INSEAD table for the 5 course meal. The bride and groom danced, the groom and bride danced and then we all danced with the bride and groom. The star of the evening was UDO. Now this guy can sing, he was a finalist in the Belgian equivalent of American Idol. Very nice touch by the parents. Imagine Sanjaya at your wedding? We partied till about 4:00 in the morning, the party closed at 6:30am. I switched to beer after midnight, no more champagne for a while. We have done many weddings this year, this one stands out in my mind for many reasons but most of all was because how friendly people were to us. We met everyone at the wedding for the first time (excluding the INSEADers) though that did not stop Marc’s friends and family giving us company the whole time we were there and made sure that we were attended to all the time. We really felt welcome there. I suspect it has a bit to do with Belgian hospitality.

Child in the house

Priya (of the Budapest fame) was in town with her bundle of joy (or angst depending if he drinks his milk or not). She came with a checklist of things to do which consisted entirely of eating (great minds think alike) and included a veggie burger from Burger King. It was awesome having them around. We also miserably failed the childproofing test at home though not much got past the hawkeyed accountant. Lots of babies around, everyone I know seems to be in some stage conception or rearing. And we are worried about population growth? We visited the Dieterichs the previous weekend, our picnic plan ended up being dining at home thanks to weather but we did have tea and cakes in the woods. Very good cake. The highlight was not not only cakes but boomeranging. It actually works, its not an urban myth and the learning curve is quite flat. Throwing one and watching it glide back makes you think, would have been nice to have paid a little more attention in physics class. Need to get me one. Ever seen a billion people smiling at the same time, click here. Going to Brussels over the weekend, Marc is getting married. Looking forward to it. The last couple of times that I have been to Brussels it has been raining and true to form the weather man predicts it going to be pouring again this weekend.

My South African experience

I am still suffering from last night's prime rib overdose (only 650grams)and grape indulgence this morning as I wait for my early morning flight back to Munich. Second time in Sud Afrique and I'm lovin' it.. Most of my experience has been centered around our office park in Centurion and a suburb of Jo'burg called Sandton. Car is a necessity to get around and certainly for the first few times. Safety is a concern though not as bad as I was expecting but it also means that you have to be vigilante at all times. People are very nice, office folks are friendly and generally civil. Class difference is also painfully obvious as is in most of Africa. Race integration is still far away from ideal but still progress seems to be there. To be fair it does take a lot of time before all is equitable and things seem to be moving in the right direction. This is definitely a big spot on the global foodie map. Lots of great food and gin joints. Beef and seafood being the main fare however not to be ignored is the very good wine. South African wine from price to quality ratio is outstanding value. I am thinking of writing some restaurant reviews. The Euro goes a long way in this country. After dinner last night, I went to the Fashion TV cafe for a nightcap with some colleagues. My eyes are still recovering. This was clearly the place to be if you are into wildlife and I am not referring to the ones in the bush. However the crowd was predominabtly white, mostly blond and very tall. The drinks were cheap too but the line outside was quite long. Lots of Charlize Theron lookalikes in this place so beware. Tough and rude to say that you were in Africa. I had a good week professionally, fresh ideas and very good cooperation marked what was to be an otherwise dubious week. The working atmosphere in South Africa is very anglo saxon and very professional. The average cost of skilled labour is higher than I would have expected and I think as a result has a impact on the quality of life for the working professional - its impressive . Office facilities are also very impressive, standards are high. Everyone seems to own their own houses and have good quality cars. I had steaks for 2 of the 4 meals that I was there for to make amends for the disappointing meals the last time I was there. This time around the steaks stacked up quite well. Prime rib and T bone medium rare seems to work out for me but perhaps I will try just 'rare' next time around. Carnivore is a popular hangout for gluttons in Jo'burg and its food portfolio includes all the usual staples like chicken, beef, lamb sausages and some exotic game meat. It also had the biggest barbeque pit I have ever seen. Here my take on exotic meat that I tried while I was there Elan- tastes a bit livery. Sirloin consistency. Fills the mouth flavour which lingers. Zebra- Tastes like a good t-bone, not so gamey. Would be an easy substitute for steak and it would be hard to guess. I like. Explains why the lions like the black and white stripes Crocodile-It tastes like greasy chicken. It has lots of bone and meat is hard to get to. Tasty though. Glad to be home for the next 2 weeks, next trip is for Marc's wedding in Brussels. I have not been in Munich for more than a week since the end of May. So who coming to Munich for the Oktoberfest? Time to reserver seats..